okra problem

[duajones]

Plants look real healthy and are growing fast. I had a problem with aphids that seems to be under control now. Buds were turning yellow and falling off. Used several applications of soapy water and hosed the leaves and buds off good. Now there are now buds and no sign of any forming but I do see what looks like grains of salt on the stems of the plants. Hosed them off real good this afternoon but am worried as to why no new buds are forming. Plants are 3ft tall and I havent harvested one pod as of yet